Courtesy of The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
Jen Stein (left) and Kayla Soroka (right)
Submitted by The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, whose mission is to strengthen Jewish life in Greater Cincinnati now and for generations to come, elected Jen Stein and Kayla Soroka to its Board of Trustees. The Trustees steward the Foundation’s investments in our local Jewish community, supporting initiatives in Jewish engagement, education and social services.
“I am honored and humbled to be joining the Board of The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati,” said Trustee Jen Stein, a career investment professional. “The Foundation has such a proud history of strengthening the Jewish community in Cincinnati and its mission is more vital than ever. I look forward to contributing to this important work.”
Added Kayla Soroka, a Jewish Education & Engagement specialist, “My family and I have gained and grown so much from being part of the Cincinnati Jewish community, specifically through many institutions that are supported by the Foundation. I cherish the opportunity to give back to the community through this amazing organization.”
“Jen Stein combines deep investment expertise with a significant track record of leadership in several community institutions,” said Walter Solomon, the Foundation’s Chairperson. “And Kayla Soroka has been a thoughtful and inspiring presence in cross-institutional initiatives focused on Jewish Engagement, Young Leadership and Pluralism. We are excited to have their thought leadership and skill sets with our organization.”
In place of its normal public annual gathering in November, the Foundation is working with the Jewish Federation on a community strategic refresh and will convene organizational leaders in March to pressure-test priorities and gather feedback. The plan will re-articulate the Vision formulated during the Cincinnati 2030 planning process and, with feedback and input from dozens of community partners, will identify priority strategies and initiatives addressing the community’s most significant new challenges and opportunities.
“We have an opportunity to think and act strategically about the Jewish community we want to build for the future,” said Brian Jaffee, CEO of the Jewish Foundation. “Our Federation partners are deeply committed, as is the Foundation, to supporting local organizations that help families and individuals feel connected, supported, and with access to a wide range of meaningful Jewish experiences. This is an exciting moment for our community to work, plan, and think big together.”
“Our Jewish Community is healthy. We’re excited to partner with the Jewish Foundation on this Community Strategic Plan, and we offer our sincere congratulations to Jen and Kayla on their new leadership roles,” said Danielle V. Minson, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.
About the new Trustees
Jen Stein is an experienced investment professional and non-profit board leader. She is a current Board member and immediate past President of the Board of Directors of the Mayerson Jewish Community Center (JCC). She chairs the investment committee of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and serves on the Wise Temple investment committee, having chaired it from 2018 to 2024. Jen is Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Foundation Board, having served on the board of Cincinnati Ballet from 2015 to 2023. She is also a board member at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and chairs its investment committee.
Formerly, Jen served on the Board of Trustees of The Seven Hills School from 2009 to 2020, serving as its Chair from 2017 to 2020. She also served on the boards of the Contemporary Arts Center and the Losantiville Country Club. In 2022, Jen was named one of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year.
Kayla Soroka works in Jewish education as the Young Adult program director for the Cincinnati Jewish Experience and as a teacher of biblical texts and Jewish philosophy at Atara Girls High School. She enjoys opportunities for additional community involvement as a board member at the Jewish Community Relations Council and Cincinnati Hebrew Day School. When not teaching, hosting Shabbat dinners or juggling her 5 children, Kayla enjoys reading, hiking and trying out culinary experiments at home.
